In cooperation with Forest Service’s Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting two Lead Wildlife Technician to join our AmeriCorps program and lead wildlife crew members in multiple wildlife field surveys over a large area. The Field Lead will help to coordinate and implement a variety of project-specific wildlife surveys and assist with some botanical/habitat surveys. The Lead technician will while conducting both day and night time acoustic callback surveys and nest searches for sensitive raptor species that are known to occur in the region. Early morning point count and nest surveys for migratory bird species will also be conducted. Passive bat detection will be conducted by setting and moving equipment throughout the project area. Wildlife technicians will work with botanical technicians on habitat surveys for sensitive butterfly species by identifying larval host and nectar plants. On-the-job training in plant identification will be provided. Opportunities to participate in training (e.g. Wilderness 1st Aid, and off-road training) during the season may be available.Lead Technicians will also be responsible for facilitating accurate completion and documentation of project efforts.

The Field Technician must be able to work in difficult terrain that may include steep, rocky slopes, areas of dense trees, and lower elevation desert. Exposure to a variety of adverse weather conditions are likely with average day time temperatures above 100 degrees, night time temperature as low as 30, extreme sun exposure, and monsoonal rain events should all be expected. This work is physically demanding and requires long hours of off-trail hiking while conducting surveys. Survey protocols and times will vary throughout the field season and crews must be able to adapt quickly to working a variety of hours (night surveys for the Flammulated owl, dawn surveys for nesting and breeding birds, daytime surveys for additional bat and raptor monitoring), while learning a variety of survey protocols. Camping is required and may include both 4 days on (with 3 days off) and 8 days on (with 6 days off) in remote areas of the Spring Mountains.

Contract Timeline:

April 29, 2019 – September 12, 2019

Location:

Field work will be conducted on the west side of the Spring Mountains Naitonal Recreation Area, outside of Las Vegas, NV. The successful applicant will experience tremendous diversity of habitat types from the Mojave Desert habitat surrounding the SMNRA to the alpine ecosystem of Mt Charleston (11,916 feet). Many developed and undeveloped recreational opportunities are available in the region ranging from rock climbing and bouldering, mountain biking, hiking, and fishing.

*Education Award may be used for past, present or future education expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans. Loan forbearance and accrued interest payment on qualifying student loans is also available.

Experience in habitat evaluation and collection of vegetation data preferred;

Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project reports; and

Possess strong leadership and organizational skills.

Additional requirements:

Ability to complete a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to US Forest Service indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has been completed prior to beginning the position.

Ability to safely drive a 4WD vehicle on unpaved roads that can be steep and rutted;

Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;

Ability to work productively, consistently and cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals;

Familiarity with backcountry, low-impact principles preferred; and

Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

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